Real Estate Power Players

Lee Passavia is a principal and founder at Domus Group, a real estate development and construction firm specializing in sustainable residential projects, and co-president at Long Island Real Estate Group. With 20 years of experience, Lee has developed hundreds of single-and multi-family residential units and managed a wide array of commercial and industrial properties throughout his career. He has served on multiple real estate boards across Long Island. Lee is third generation in the real estate business, and a graduate of Yale University.

Danny Pisani is the VP and director of sales at Contour Mortgage. For the past 15 years, Pisani has been educating New Yorkers about the mortgage industry. Many of his clients are fellow Long Islanders, as well as New York City residents from all five boroughs. Pisani has enjoyed helping people and goes out of his way to ensure that his clients develop a better understanding of the industry after working with him. He attended SUNY Plattsburgh and served our country in the USMC before getting involved in the mortgage industry. Aside from his professional work, Pisani, who counts his children Seth and Adriana as his inspiration, has been very involved in giving back.

Scott Rechler is the CEO and chairman of RXR, an innovative investor, developer and place-maker committed to applying a customer and community-centered approach to building properties, services, and products that create enduring value for all stakeholders. With an aggregate gross asset value of $22.4 billion, including a multi-family residential portfolio of approximately 6,900 units under operation or development, RXR seeks to build and create stronger communities within its buildings and within the areas in which it operates.

David Sargoy has been an active broker in the New York metropolitan area for 40 years. He started his career with Coldwell Banker and became vice president and managing broker of the Long Island office of Julien J. Studley, Inc. in 1987. From 1990 to 1996, he was an owner of Wilrock Long Island, Inc., and presently is the managing broker of the Commercial Real Estate Division of Brown Harris Stevens.

How did you get involved in the real estate industry?
After graduating from Washington University with an MBA, I began advertising for the Yellow Pages in 1981. I realized I wasn’t happy and met with a headhunter. My career as a broker started at Coldwell and led me to the V.P. position. The Real Estate industry gave me the opportunity to meet various types of people and work with a multitude of industries, while allowing a limitless income. 43 years later, I still love it.

What’s your favorite area of Long Island?
A particular project that comes to mind is Old Sound Avenue. It’s one of the few warehouse buildings on the North Fork of Long Island. We had a very eclectic group of prospects interested in the project. From local artists to larger companies, we were given the opportunity to work with various clientele. The East End tenants were looking to expand their businesses and that’s always the end goal.

Ryan Serhant is a founder, entrepreneur, producer, public speaker, best-selling author, star of multiple TV shows, and chief executive officer of SERHANT., the rapidly growing tech-forward real estate organization comprised of two core businesses: brokerage and education. Founded in 2020, SERHANT. is a content-to-commerce technology ecosystem and is home to the first full-service, award-winning, in-house film studio solely dedicated to real estate content. Its digital education platform has more than 14,000 members across 110 countries.

How did you get involved in the real estate industry?
I got into the real estate industry by accident. I moved to NYC in 2006 to pursue acting, but I needed something to help pay the bills. I began working on rentals and eventually moved to sales, where I led the number one selling team in NYC for several years before branching out on my own and starting SERHANT.

Howard M. Stein, managing partner at Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP, also co-chairs the Real Estate Practice Group. Mr. Stein serves on boards of the Association for a Better Long Island and Vision Long Island and the Board of Governors at Touro Law Center where he served as chairman for 17 years and taught for 27 years. Mr. Stein graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Law and the University of Rochester.

How did you get involved in the real estate industry?
After law school, I looked for a job as a tax attorney and got offered a job with a top Long Island law firm that needed a first-year associate in their real estate group. I pivoted and said that was what I wanted to do. Forty-four years, and a few mergers later, I am still with the same (much larger) firm and still advise many of the same clients, their children, and grandchildren.

What’s the best thing about working in Long Island real estate?
The Long Island Real Estate Community is filled with a group of very talented, generous, and honorable people. Despite being an island of 3,000,000 people, there is the feeling that everyone I deal with has 6 degrees of separation. During my career, I am fortunate to have worked with many of the icons of the industry who have left indelible marks (mostly good), and have given much back to the area through their generosity.  

What’s your favorite area of Long Island?
Every golf course. Long Island is a treasure chest of magnificent golf courses.

Mark Stempel is a Long Islander and CEO of Blue Island Homes, a real estate brokerage and development firm. With a Masters of Architecture from the University of Maryland, he quickly entered the industry and has led the growth of the company’s residential development and brokerage services. Blue Island Homes is expanding offices in 2023. Mark is active on the Corporate Committee for the company’s favorite charity, Sunrise Day Camp.

How did you get involved in the real estate industry?
Growing up in a family deeply involved in the real estate industry, I developed a passion for architecture that ultimately led me to pursue a career in real estate. With a master’s degree in architecture, I love transforming ideas into physical spaces. I take pride in helping clients find their dream home and building personal relationships. Real estate offers a unique opportunity to create lasting value in people’s lives while making meaningful connections.

What’s the best thing about working in Long Island real estate?
Long Island real estate is known for being one of the most lucrative and dynamic markets in the country. The region boasts some of the most beautiful and affluent neighborhoods in the United States. Another advantage of working in Long Island real estate is the opportunity to build strong relationships with clients. Many of the clients in this market are repeat customers or referrals. Our agents have the chance to develop lasting connections with them. 

What’s your favorite area of Long Island?
Nassau County is an excellent choice for real estate investment, and there are many reasons why it’s a popular destination for home buyers and investors. Here are some of the reasons why Nassau County real estate is a favorite among many: location, housing options, strong rental market, strong economy, excellent schools, diverse population, close proximity to Manhattan, and of course the beautiful beaches and communities.

Myrnissa A. Stone-Sumair served as executive director of Habitat Nassau County, prior to the recent merger with Habitat of Suffolk County.  Well versed in property acquisition, rehabilitation, construction, and human services, Myrnissa is currently leading the charge at Habitat implementing a new Community Impact Initiative, an extension of Habitat’s core building program, which offers innovative person-centered housing solutions, critical home repairs, and modifications.

How did you get involved in the real estate industry?
I trained and worked as a mortgage loan originator between 2012 and 2014 prior to joining Habitat. In 2014, I  joined Habitat for Humanity in Nassau County, as finance and grants manager, which extended my knowledge of affordable housing development and property acquisition. In 2017, I moved into the executive director position which provided direct involvement in the home construction and rehabilitation activities, overseeing daily program operations. I am currently an investor, and own and manage several properties.

What’s the best thing about working in Long Island real estate?
Long Island real estate provides an opportunity to work with investors, families, and individuals from all income levels. Long Island real estate will keep one on their toes. Unpredictable is the best word to describe it. This unpredictability feeds the excitement. The best prepared agents, investors, etc., must consistently study and keep their focus if they intend to succeed in Long Island real estate.

What’s your favorite area of Long Island?
I have a special love for Long Beach! It is filled with residents that are very community-minded.  A strong sense of community, yet a very complex, divided history, as it regards specific neighborhoods and self imposed boundaries.

Co-founding Wachtler Knopf Equities LLC in 2005, Philip Wachtler has long taken an active role in Long Island’s real estate community. He’s a member on multiple boards, including the Long Island Real Estate Group, the Association for a Better Long Island, and the Institute of Real Estate at Hofstra University. He graduated from Skidmore College, and the Energeia Partnership – The Academy for Regional Stewardship at Molloy College. Before founding WKE, Wachtler worked as Director of Leasing and Development for the Tilles Investment Company, overseeing 2.1 million square feet of commercial space.

Bram D. Weber is a successful real estate attorney and co-president of Long Island Real Estate Group. He focuses on zoning, land use, and real estate transactions. His clients include local, national, and international development companies, builders, and investors. Bram is the recipient of several awards, including the Larry A. Silverstein UJA-Federation Real Estate Award, and serves on charitable and real estate industry boards. Bram received degrees from Brandeis University and Hofstra University Law School.

How did you get involved in the real estate industry?
I grew up learning about the real estate industry from my father as he built a law practice representing real estate developers on Long Island. I started my career in real estate law and government relations at a firm in New York City and then came to Long Island and joined my father in practice. We co-founded Weber Law Group LLP in 2004 and we’ve become the real estate development-focused law firm on Long Island.

What’s the best thing about working in Long Island real estate?
The real estate business on Long Island is fascinating. Our firm encounters the incredible diversity of Long Island daily since we work from the East End to the Nassau/Queens border. Ultimately, we help our clients secure approvals for buildings that will add to the tax base on Long Island and provide places for people to live, work, shop, dine, recreate, or obtain services. We work with businesses, elected officials, and communities to create economic development.

What’s your favorite area of Long Island?
I tell people all the time that I love Long Island and rarely want to leave it. I’m from Suffolk County, my office is in Suffolk County, and I live with my family in Nassau County. My law practice takes me to communities throughout Long Island as do my children’s sports schedules! Long Island is an amazing place from end to end.